New sinkhole opens up in KL near where tourist fell into hole

Malaysia Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR A second sinkhole has appeared in Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Masjid India - just 50m from where the ground opened up on Aug 23 and swallowed an Indian tourist heightening fears about the safety of the popular area.

- Azril Annuar

The new collapse reportedly occurred at around 2.30am on Aug 28, following a storm the previous night.

On Aug 28, the entire street was cordoned off to all vehicles and the public, compared with the previous day, when the police had cordoned off only a stretch of roughly 500m around the original sinkhole.

An officer from the Mineral and Geoscience Department was seen scanning the street with groundpenetrating radar.

He was seen pausing at a location between the original sinkhole and the new one for a few minutes before stomping on the ground and jumping up and down, as if to test the integrity of the cobbled pavement.

Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain arrived at the location at around 11.20am and inspected the new sinkhole before being briefed at the police operational tent.

He did not speak to the media.

In a press statement, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said it had blocked access to the road using police lines and water barriers.

"We have taken quick action, together with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK, the waste management company serving Kuala Lumpur), to inspect the sewerage pipe at the location and its surrounding areas," said the statement.